Harda, Feb 7:
At least 12 people died and in excess of 60 sustained injuries owing to serial blasts and a subsequent inferno on Tuesday at an “unauthorised” fireworks factory located in Harda District headquarters’ Bairagarh residential area of Madhya Pradesh.
Rescue and relief work were progressing on war footing as there is an apprehension of an unspecified number of individuals trapped under debris.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of leaders expressed grief over the loss of life. Modi announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each besides Rs 50,000 to every grievously-hurt person. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav is monitoring the situation from the state capital. He announced Rs 4 lakh each as ex gratia.
The first explosion occurred at approximately 11:30 hrs followed by the fire in the roughly five-storey-high building. A couple of godowns are located in the vicinity. The blaze spread to nearby dwellings. It is hitherto unclear as to what caused the incident. The vibrations were experienced over a radius of several kilometres.
Police, administrative officials and fire brigade personnel rushed to the scene. Fire engines and ambulances were requisitioned from adjoining districts as well. Victims were rushed to Bhopal and Indore but some have been hospitalised locally. Eye-witnesses said that approximately 100 workers and their kin would have been present in the building. The fire was brought under control by late evening.
Meanwhile, ywo owners of the firecrackers factory have been arrested by the police, officials said. They were booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, among other charges, after an FIR was filed against them on Tuesday evening, they said.
